"It wasn't sexual, but he did grab me by the head," Lappos told the newspaper. "He put his hand around my neck and pulled me in to rub noses with me. When he was pulling me in, I thought he was going to kiss me on the mouth."

"In my many years on the campaign trail and in public life, I have offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort," Biden said. "And not once – never – did I believe I acted inappropriately. If it is suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully. But it was never my intention."

Biden said he might not recall moments in the same way that the accuser does.

"But we have arrived at an important time when women feel they can and should relate their experiences, and men should pay attention," he said in the statement. "And I will."

The allegations against Biden come amid #MeToo, a movement started nearly a decade ago that went viral in 2017 as women in Hollywood and across the country began sharing stories of sexual harassment and assault. It’s led to the resignation or downfall of more than 100 entertainers, executives and politicians, including Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer and Kevin Spacey. Former Minnesota Democrat Sen. Al Franken announced his resignation in 2017 following accusations of sexual misconduct. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., also stepped down, along with Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., who resigned amid reports he discussed with female staffers the possibility they could be surrogates for his and his wife's baby.

More than a dozen women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct over the years, including eight women who have accused him of forcibly kissing them. Trump has denied the allegations. In an “Access Hollywood” tape that surfaced during the final weeks of the presidential campaign in 2016, Trump was heard making lewd comments and bragging about groping women. The president has said that was "locker-room banter."

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Former US Vice President Joe Biden leaves a rally organized by UFCW Union members to support Stop and Shop employees on strike throughout the region at the Stop and Shop in Dorchester, Mass. on April 18, 2019. Joseph Prezioso, AFP/Getty Images

Former Vice President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Construction and Maintenance Conference at the Washington Hilton in Washington D.C. on April 5, 2019. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

Former US Vice President Joe Biden wipes tears from his eyes as he speaks about his late son Beau Biden during the First State Democratic Dinner in Dover, Del. on March 16, 2019. Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in conversation with author George Saunders during The Miami Book Fair at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 18, 2017 in Miami, Fla. Johnny Louis, WireImage

Biden takes a selfie with a student after delivering remarks regarding sexual violence on college campuses during a visit to Rutgers University, on Oct. 12, 2017, in New Brunswick, N.J. Julio Cortez, AP

Biden waves to the crowd as he speaks at a rally to campaign for Democrat Doug Jones in the special election to fill Attorney General Jeff Sessions' former Senate seat on Oct. 3, 2017, in Birmingham, Ala. Brynn Anderson, AP

Biden reacts to the crowd as he returns to Brown-Burton Winchester Park in Wilmington, Del., where the pool facility is being dedicated in his honor as the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Aquatic Center. Suchat Pederson, The News Journal

Biden speaks during a health care event on the East Front of the Capitol on March 22, 2017. House Democrats held the event to mark the seventh anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Alex Wong, Getty Images

Biden tucks notes into his jacket after speaking at an event to formally launch the Biden Institute, a research and policy center focused on domestic issues, at the University of Delaware in Newark, Del., on March 13, 2017. Patrick Semansky, AP

French President Francois Hollande speaks with Biden at a press conference on the sidelines of the 71st session of the U.N. General Assembly at The Met in New York on Sept. 20, 2016. Stephane De Sakutin, AFP/Getty Images

Hillary Clinton greets Biden on the tarmac at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in Avoca, Pa., on Aug. 15, 2016, before traveling together to a campaign event in Scranton, Pa. Carolyn Kaster, AP

Biden jokes with Obama during an event to mark the 25th anniversary of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics in the East Room of the White House on Oct. 15, 2015. Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images

Biden walks with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., after attending a House Democratic Caucus meeting in the Capitol on July 15, 2015. He briefed Democrats on the Iran nuclear deal and participated in a lengthy question-and-answer session. Shawn Thew, European Pressphoto Agency

Obama hugs Biden after delivering the eulogy in honor of Biden's son, former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, on June 6, 2015, at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wilmington, Del. Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

Biden embraces his grandson Hunter before funeral services his son Beau Biden on June 6, 2015, at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Wilmington, Del. The eldest son of the vice president, died of brain cancer May 30 at age 46. Patrick Semansky, AP

A U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen 1st Class celebrates after receiving his diploma from Biden during graduation ceremonies at the U.S. Naval Academy on May 22, 2015, in Annapolis, Md. Biden gave the commencement speech to this year's graduating class. Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen's grandson, A.J. Bellabona, takes a selfie with Biden in the Old Senate Chamber at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2015, after Sen. Shaheen participated in her ceremonial swearing-in with other members of Congress. Eileen Blass, USA TODAY

Biden poses for a selfie with a member of the audience during a campaign event for Democrat Seth Moulton, a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, on Oct. 29, 2014, in Lynn, Mass. Steven Senne, AP

Biden talks with then-senator Barack Obama before the start of the first Democratic presidential primary debate on April 26, 2007, at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. J. Scott Applewhite, AP

Biden, left, holds up a bottle of Andro Fuel, a type of steroid, during a news conference at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington on March 11, 2004. Standing with Biden is Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. Susan Walsh, AP

Biden introduces America Online CEO Steve Case to media and children at the Eastern Boys & Girls Club in Southeast Washington, D.C., on Feb. 10, 2000. Biden announced his plan to put new computers with Internet access in Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. Heather Martin Morrissey, GNS

Biden holds up a government booklet on drug and crime issues while questioning Attorney General Janet Reno during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee to discuss Justice Department operations on April 30, 1997, on Capitol Hill. Joe Marquette, AP